Well you may as well go get the thing done. It won't ever be normal again if it's that bad. My neighbor had both knees done at the same time last month and he is fine now. The pain is gone but he still needs a few more weeks to get back to normal.
I have a wrist that gives me excruciating pain and it's the old tunnel syndrom thing.Can't pick up anything with that hand without it hurting really bad. We'll do the cutting just as soon as the Doc gets through all his messing around with it. Pete

If you don't have one already, get yourself a wrist brace from your local drug store. They help a lot. I had carpal tunnel on both wrists for a long time, due to repetitive motion at my job. Lasted for another year after I retired and then it went away.